Jordan MPs call for expulsion of Israel envoy over al-Aqsa assault

In this July 2017 file photo, Palestinians pray outside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in protest against the Israeli regime's restrictive measures against the holy site. (Photo by Reuters)

Members of the Jordanian parliament’s Palestine Committee have called for the expulsion of Israel's ambassador from the country in response to Tel Aviv's latest measures in Jerusalem al-Quds.

In a statement read to Jordan's parliament Tuesday, the Palestine Parliamentary Committee also called for the return of Jordan's ambassador from Tel Aviv.

"We call on the government to recall the Jordanian ambassador from Tel Aviv, and to expel the Israeli ambassador in Amman," the statement read.

The move came a day after the Israeli regime banned Muslims from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem al-Quds. Tel Aviv also arrested several worshipers inside the compound, and wounded a dozen Palestinians in an assault on Tuesday.

The worshipers were injured after Israeli military forces attacked them while entering the mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

The sources added that 15 other Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces inside the mosque as well. A majority of those arrested were reportedly seminary school students.

In their statement, Jordanian lawmakers denounced Israel’s act as a violation of human rights and international law.

"[The measures] contradict the most basic human rights values and international laws," the statement read.

The lawmakers warned that such actions "represent a new and dangerous stage that provokes millions of Muslims around the world" and entrenches "racial and sectarian divides… and incites hate speech".

Palestinian Ma'an News Agency reported on Monday that Israeli soldiers had sealed off Bab al-Rahma with locks and iron chains a day earlier and prevented the Palestinian worshipers from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The agency said the Israeli move sparked clashes between Palestinian youths and the Tel Aviv regime forces, which resulted in the detention of five Palestinians, including a woman.

The al-Rahma gate is a big building that lays to the east of the al-Aqsa Mosque. The building was sealed by Israeli authorities in 2003 as it was the headquarters of the Islamic Heritage Committee. Israel claimed at the time that the building was being used for political activities.

The building was sealed by Israeli authorities in 2003 as it was the headquarters of the Islamic Heritage Committee. Israel claimed at the time that the building was being used for political activities.

In 2017, an Israeli court ordered that the building be closed until further notice.

Tensions continue in the occupied territories following US President Donald Trump’s decision last year to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy to the occupied city.